Can I get free prescriptions if I’m on Employment and Support Allowance?
If you qualify for income-related ESA, you automatically qualify for free prescriptions.
If you qualify for contribution-based or New Style ESA, you do not automatically qualify for free prescriptions.
You need to be careful not to tick the ir-ESA exemption box on a prescription if you have any doubt about the type of ESA receive, since you ca be subject to a fine if you inadvertently claim free prescriptions when not entitled. If you are unsure of the type of ESA you receive, you can check with the DWP.
Qualifying based on receiving other benefits
If you receive Universal Credit to top-up your ESA, then you may qualify for free prescriptions providing your take-home pay in your last assessment period was less than £435 (or £935 if your UC includes a payment for a child or you have limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity).
If you receive Tax Credits, you are entitled to free prescriptions if the income used to calculate your claim is less than £15,276 per year and you receive either Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit paid with Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit that includes a disability element.
There are a number of other ways of qualifying:
- Your family income is low enough – see https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme
- You are over 60 or over
- You are under 19 and in full time education
- You have a medical exemption certificate because of the specific health issues you are diagnosed with - https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-you-have-nhs-exemption/medical-exemption-certificates
- You are unable to leave home without the assistance of another person
Note: the rules are different, and more generous, in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
If you are not entitled to free prescriptions, you may still be able to save money on the cost of prescriptions by purchasing a pre-payment certificate: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc
